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Retired American Saddlebred Trainer in Need of Help Due to California Wild Fires

Gary Holt is a retired horseman who was a prominent trainer of American Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies, and Andalusians on the west coast and Utah. For nearly 45 years, from the 1960s through 2002, he along with his wife, Colleen, were actively training.

A fixture for many years showing and training on the western side of the country, Holt was influential to west coast American Saddlebred circuit for years. He spent ten years managing and training at Singing Hills Farm in Oregon City for Mr. Bill and Mrs. Barbara Blacklaw. He was an integral part in developing the farm into the prominent American Saddlebred training and breeding operation. During his time there he managed their stallions Plainview’s Commander (47304S*) and Prim Style (52673S*). He trained CHStarheart's Ballerina (78972M*) during his time in Salt Lake City, UT, and many good horses from the years he operated his own Gary Holt Stables in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas.

Holt also founded the original Seaside Horse Show in Ventura in the mid-’80s and managed the show until he moved to Oregon in 1992.

Gary and Colleen lost virtually everything, including their dog, Rona, in the Woolsey Fire of Southern California on November 9th. They were evacuated in a rush with a few family photos, medications, and minimal clothing from their handicap accessible mobile trailer at Barbara and Alvin Rotter’s Rancho Sol Del Pacifico in Malibu. Gary and Colleen were making ends meet on a fixed income but without the ability to afford insurance when the horrific fires displaced them.

Gary, now 79, suffered a debilitating stroke in 2002, forcing his retirement from working horses. Colleen, his wife, is permanently disabled and has been confined to a wheelchair the past several years.

Gary and Colleen desperately need assistance in reaching their goal of purchasing a handicap accessible house trailer for them to call home permanently. Also, the need for tools to work on the trailer and small projects for Holt is needed. FEMA is only able to provide $1,500 in assistance. While many friends, former customers, and trainers have already generously donated they are still drastically short of their goals to get Gary and Colleen resettled. If you can help in any way, please consider using the link and information below to send donations. If you can help in any way: Pay Pal link: paypal.me/Garyholtcafire Go Fund Me link: https://www.gofundme.com/gary-holt-ca-fire

Direct contributions can be made to Gary and Colleen Holt C/O Meghan Holt P.O. Box 1221 Somis, CA 93066.

*From Around the Arena- Brendan Heintz